Considerations for a journey in forensic programming

Working at In the clinical field for more than 15 years, I often see how mental health intersects with the legal system in ways that demand not only compassion, but also specialized expertise. At critical legal moments, obtaining a forensic evaluation can be the difference between undesirable outcomes and justice. When I launched The Forensic Program at the Center for Inner Transformations, it was my goal to provide services designed to support individuals and families through some of the most psychologically challenging times. Dealing with the criminal justice system can be a dark time in someone’s life, and unfortunately, many professionals are not equipped with advanced skills that can help.

When I began providing my first comprehensive assessments over a dozen years ago, I was pursuing a dual degree in Social Work and Addiction Counseling at Rutgers University on a grant from the Mental Health Service Administration and Substance Abuse. From this period, I began working collaboratively with probation, parole and drug court officers, attorneys, judges, and other criminal justice professionals to evaluate substance abuse cases, criminal matters, child custody disputes and trauma-related assessments. I have continued to use my experience to contribute to the greater good by ensuring that mental health is understood, respected and properly addressed in our legal system. For other mental health professionals, working with people in the criminal justice system can provide a rewarding experience that contributes positively to better outcomes.

Developing specialist expertise: my forensic journey

Success in conducting a forensic evaluation requires a wide range of specialized skills, which can be cultivated through years of focused training and experience. Working on the front lines of law and mental health, confidence and competence are necessary. My own forensic career began with an interest in helping my clients better cope with their mental health and addictive behaviors, and addressing the needs of a complex legal system that often overlooks the vulnerable people it targets to serve

Although I trained for various specialties at various institutions, my training with the National Forensic Social Work Organization was based on established application principles, familiarity with the law, comprehensive assessment, and objective criteria associated with the outcomes of the treatment Forensic services must be useful and written in language that the court can understand and must withstand critical review and rebuttal by opposing parties.

There are also opportunities to earn additional certifications. For example, I became certified as a neurocriminologist, an emerging field that explores the neurological and psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior. This advanced training allows me to provide deeper insight into the minds of people involved in legal cases, especially those where substance abuse, trauma or mental illness play a role.

Common Forensic Services and Needs: What we do and why it matters

In COIT’s Forensic Program, I provide forensic evaluations and services that meet the specific needs of our justice system, while addressing the broader societal issues that contribute to the cases we see. Experienced mental health professionals could gain expertise in evaluating a variety of legal scenarios, including:

Substance abuse assessments: Understanding how addiction affects criminal behavior, child custody, or treatment needs is crucial to many assessments. These provide clear and informed assessments that address the legal and clinical dimensions of addiction.

Mitigation assessments: These are comprehensive reports detailing defendants’ mental health, history of trauma, and other life circumstances that could mitigate the sentence. These assessments humanize the accused while maintaining forensic objectivity.

Custody evaluations of minors: In high-conflict custody disputes, these evaluations determine the mental health and parenting abilities of all parties involved, always focusing on the best interests of the child.

Assessments of criminal competence: These assess whether individuals are mentally fit to stand trial, helping to ensure that defendants receive a fair trial.

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Civil Competency Assessments: In civil cases, such as financial or medical decision-making, these assess whether people have the mental capacity to participate meaningfully in legal decisions.

Informed assessments in trauma: Trauma has a profound impact on behavior and decision-making, and this ensures that it is fully understood and considered in every assessment, whether the case involves past abuse, domestic violence or war-related trauma.

Anger management assessments: This helps identify and address the roots of aggressive or violent behavior, providing treatment recommendations that courts or rehabilitation programs can implement.

Neuropsychological evaluations: This assesses knowledge of how brain disorders or injuries affect behavior, offering a unique perspective in criminal cases where neuropsychological factors may be involved.

Mental health and fun assessments: For people with mental health problems, these assess whether diversion programs or treatment plans would be more appropriate than traditional sentences.

At the service of the common good: impact on the community

The work should not stop in the room. For our program, and for others, a core value should be giving back to the community. All clinical leaders providing forensic services should provide trauma-informed assessments that help achieve fair legal outcomes that better reflect the mental health needs of people, especially those most marginalized by the justice system.

When we do a substance abuse assessment, for example, we’re not just answering legal questions, we’re advocating for access to rehabilitation and treatment programs, rather than funneling people into prisons where their needs won’t be met . Similarly, in child custody cases, we not only identify the most “fit” parent, but provide a detailed and unbiased understanding of family dynamics that prioritizes the well-being of the child above all else.

Work in criminal jurisdiction and mitigation can go even further. By providing detailed assessments of a person’s mental health and life circumstances, mental health professionals help courts deliver justice that takes into account not just the crime, but the person behind it. These assessments often lead to sentences that include mental health care, trauma counseling or substance abuse treatment, measures that can reduce recidivism and create healthier communities.

Building a fairer tomorrow

By providing accurate, compassionate, and science-based assessments, you can help improve legal outcomes, reduce incarceration rates, and provide solutions that make our communities safer and more equitable. Medical forensics transform the justice system’s understanding of mental health, addiction, and trauma. By combining forensic expertise with a holistic, trauma-informed approach, you can create a pathway to justice that sees the whole person.